Actuating mechanism for a press



Jam. 31, 1939. J. P. DALY ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PRESS Filed Sept. 26-, 1954 ssneets-sheez 1 INVENTOR Jan. 31, 1939. J. P. DALY y ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR A PRESS Filed Sept 26, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 2 NVEN'rOR Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AOTUATING MECHANISM FOR A PRESS Application September 26, 1934, Serial No. 745,611

6 Claims.

This invention relates to actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, as for instance, garment and laundry presses wherein the press closes and remains closed for any timed period, or any period suiting the will of the operator.

It has for its object an actuating mechanism requiring both hands of the operator to be used at the same time, although not necessarily simultaneously, to complete the full operation of the actuating mechanism, or the full closing of the press into final pressure position, and particularly an actuating mechanism wherein one of the manuals can not be permanently fastened down or in operated position and the machine operated alone with the other manual.

It further has for its object, a double control for the cylinder and piston type of motor wherein after the piston element has traveled a predetermined distance, the control is automatically taken away for the manually operated valves, and the cylinder element of the motor connected automatically in the feed line around or in shunt with the manually operated valves, so that it is immaterial whether they are held operated or returned or permitted to return to their normal position.

It further has for its object, an actuating mechanism in which the motor of the cylinder and piston type consists of two or a plurality of cylinder units and piston units therein with a by-pass connecting the cylinder units between their ends and the pistons embodying valve means which permits one to lag behind the other when power, or actuating pressure, is applied only to the other, so that the piston elements are out of line when the piston unit in one cylinder unit only is being actuated by power, whereby after the power actuated piston unit travels a predetermined distance, the motive fluid passes through the by-pass to the opposite or under side of the other piston unit which is lagging behind, and stops or retards the actuation of the motor when only one manual valve is operated, but which lagging piston unit is shifted to a position in line with the other piston unit when the other manual valve is operated, thus cutting out the opposition motive fluid through the by-pass.

It further has for its object, means operated by motive fluid pressure in the by-pass when pressure is being applied to the same sides of each piston unit for operating cut-out and transfer valves which cut out the manually operable valves and cut in the cylinder units in communication with the feed line in shunt with the manually operable valves.

Other objects will appear throughout the specification.

In the embodiment of my invention here shown, 5 the motor is of the single acting reciprocating type, although the invention is applicable to other types, and also the cylinder and piston elements are shown as double, or consisting of two cylinder units and two piston units, although they may be 10 embodied in a cylinder and piston motor consisting of a single cylinder and piston.

I have here illustrated my invention as applied to a garment and laundry press, although it is equally applicable to any other machine hav- 15 ing an opening and closing movement.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a garment and laundry press embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a partly diagrammatic sectional view of this actuating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the piston elements showing the lost motion between the head and rod as embodying a spring tending to yieldingly hold and return the head to its normal relation relative to its rod.

Figure 3 is a sectional fragmentary view of the pistons in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partly diagrammatic sectional view of the actuating mechanism shown in Figure 2 after one manual valve has been actuated and the press has come to a safety stop because the second hand was not also applied.

This actuating mechanism comprises, generally, a motor including cylinder and piston elements, a feed line for a motive fluid having branches communicating with the cylinder element, independently and manually operable, normally closed valves in said branches, means controlled by the movement of the piston element when actuated on its power stroke, and preferably a predetermined distance, for retarding or stopping the movement of the piston element when but one valve is open and operable by the opening of the other valve to release the retarding force whereby the piston element can continue through its full stroke.

It further includes means, as transfer or cut-out valves, controlled in their operation by the movement of the piston element when continuing toward the end of its power stroke for cutting out the manually operable valves and placing the cylinder element in communication with the feed line in shunt with the valves. It also preferably includes manually releasable means for holding the transfer valves in their operated position, that is, for causing the fluid pressure in the cylinder element to hold the press closed, which cylinder element is open to the pressure in the feed line.

In Figure 1, A designates the frame of a garment or laundry press; B an ironing buck or table suitably mounted on the frame; C a head movable toward and from the buckto close and open the press; D a support for the head, usually a yoke or lever pivoted at E between its ends to the frame. F and G are toggle links pivoted together at H, and at land J respectively, to the rear end of the lever D and to the base of the frame. K is a lever mounted on the pivot J and rigid with the link G whereby the lever K and link G form an angle lever. When the lever K is depressed, the toggle links are moved from their. folded position, indicated in dotted lines, to a straight position closing the press under pressure. The press is opened by a counterweight, or counterbalancing spring or springs L. The arm K is actuated by the motor or actuating means forming the subject matter of this invention. In-

sofar as this invention is concerned, any suitable motion transmitting mechanism may be used to perform the function of the parts K, G, F and D.

The cylinder and piston motor of this actuating mechanism is here illustrated as of the reciprocating cylinder and piston, single acting type, and as including two cylinder units l and 2 with piston units 3 and 4 working therein, these piston units being mounted on rods 5 and '6 extending through stufling boxes in the heads of the cylinder units. The rods being joined or tied together so that they work in unison, by a cross head I. This cross head I is a pivot pin connected to the lever K of the pressing machine mechanism. Each piston unit 3, 4, is mounted on its rod 5 or 6 to have a lost motion connection or to play between opposing shoulders 8, 9 and Isl, I! on the rods 5 and. 6 respectively, so that when one piston unit is actuated, and the other is not, the latter will drag behind, drawing against the upper shoulder 9 or II, and the piston units will be out of horizontal alinement.

As seen in Figure 3, a spring 4 may be employed to insure the lagging of the piston head 3 or 4 and to return it to its normal position.

I2. designates a main feed line for a motive fluid, as air, this having branches I3 and 14 communicating respectively with the cylinder units I and 2. It also has an additional branch l5 for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. Each branch I3 and I4 consists of sections Hi and 9, or. Me and M communicating with the cylinder element and specifically with the cylinder units respectively. In this embodiment of the invention, the sections !3 and l3 are connected together through a transfer and cut-out valve I 6, and the sections [4 and N by a similar transfer valve [1.

I8.ancl ii) are normally closed, individually and manually operable control valves in the branches I3 and l l respectively of the feed line, or the sections l3 and M thereof.

20 is a by-pass connecting the cylinder units I and 2 between their ends, and opening thereinto through ports 2| and 22, these being located to be passed by the piston units 3, 4, when they have traveled a predetermined distance on their power strokes. The additional branch 15 also communicates with the transfer valves 3 and IT.

Each manually operable valve 18 or l9, as here illustrated, is a two-way valve and includes a suitable casing, and a movable valve member therein having heads 23 and 2 3 connected together by a stem, the valve being normally pressed to its closed position by a spring 25. It is actuated against its spring to open the valve by manual means, as a push button 26 or 27, the motion of which is transferred to the movable valve member through a lever 28 or 29. The valve head 24 merely makes the valve tight to prevent the pressure from passing back from the branches out through a port 30 or 3|, this port normally permitting the exhaust of air from the cylinder element when the valve is open and the transfer valves l6, l'l have been reset in their normal or starting position.

Each transfer valve IE or I] includes a casing formed with chambers 32 and 33 separated by a partition on the opposite sides of which are provided valve seats for valve heads 34 and 35 which are connected by a stem so that they work in unison. The branch [3 or I 4 opens into the chamber 34, and the branch I3 or I4 communicates with both chambers 32 and 33. The additional branch !5 of the feed line opens into the chamber 33 of each transfer valve. The valve member, including the heads 34 and 35, is pressed to its normal position by suitable springs and when in normal position, the air is free to flow,

upon the operation of the companion manually operable valve IE or ill, from the branch l3 or M to the branch [3 or I4 and hence, to the cylinder element, and when the transfer valve is shifted, or operated, as will be hereinafter set forth, so that the valve head 34 closes, or cuts out the section 13 or l4 and opens, or cuts in the chamber 33 into communication with the cylinder element to the cylinder element from the feed line through the additional branch l5, transfer valves I6 and IT and through the sections H or M In the operation thus far described, assuming that the operator operates only one of the push buttons 26 or 21, as for instance the push button 26, the air will pass from the feed line l2 through the branch l3, valve [8, section I3, chamber 32 of the transfer valve l6, branch I 3' to the upper end of the cylinder unit l, thus pushing or actuating the piston unit 3 downwardly. During the downward movement of the piston unit or head 3, the other piston unit or head 4 is pulled downwardly due to the fact that the piston rods 5, 6 are connected together by the cross head 1 and in so being pulled downward, it is shifted upwardly relatively to the rod from out of thrusting engagement with the shoulder IE! on the piston rod 6 into engagement with the shoulder ll. Hence, the piston unit 4 is out of line with the piston unit 3. When the piston unit 3 has passed a predetermined distance on its out stroke to uncover the port 2| of the conduit 21?, the conduit is connected in communication with the feed line, and the air which is coming in through the branch 53, because the valve operated by the push button 26 is open, passes through the conduit or bypass 20 through the port 22 into the cylinder unit 2, but as the piston unit 4 is dragging behind, or is out of line with the piston unit 3, the air passes under the piston unit 4 and exerts a pressure in opposition thereto, which, together with the friction of the piston unit on the cylinder, is sufficient to offset further movement of the piston 3. In order that the air may pass to the under side of the piston 4, when in this condition, the piston head is formed with means as passages ii which constitute valve means embodied in the piston element. The piston 3 is also provided with similar passages 39 to operate the same way when the push button 2? only is operated. Also, each cylinder unit, at its lower end, is formed with passages 4| to prevent the cylinder from becoming air bound, but these vent passages ii are not large enough to materially reduce the retarding pressure through the conduit 25 augmented by the friction on the piston head. Also, each piston unit 3 or i is formed with a comparatively wide packing disk 42 on the upper side thereof to increase the drag thereof.

When the movement of the piston element consisting of two units 3 and 4 is retarded or stopped, because of the opposition pressure through the by-pass 2%] on the piston unit 4, in order to cornplet-e the power stroke of the piston element, the bypass 26 must be closed to the passage of air from the cylinder unit I to the cylinder unit 2. This is effected by the operation of the other push button 2'? to open the manually operable valve 49 so that air can pass from the feed line through the branch Hi, section M transfer valve H, and section M to the cylinder unit 2. When the valve 19 is thus opened, the pressure of the feed line flows to the cylinder unit 2 to the upper side of the piston unit 4, moving it downwardly relatively to the piston rod 6 against the shoulder iii taking up the lost motion, and in so doing, causing the packing 42 to cover the port 22 and cut off the pressure from the feed line to the under side of the piston unit 5, and now both pistons are subject equally to actuating pressure, as the pistons continue on their power strokes. Thismovement of the piston unit 3 or 4 to take up the lost motion between it and its rod is possible because the pressure of the fluid on the upper side of the piston unit is greater than the opposition pressure, due to the vents ti The retarding of the piston element occurs when the press head C has moved to a safe position, or a so-called safety first position, close to the buck B.

When both piston units 3, 4, pass both ports 2! and 22, the full pressure then passes through the by-pass 2!! from both cylinder units I, 2, through a conduit 43 to operate means which, in turn, shift the cut-out and transfer valves Hi, i! to out out the manually operable valves i8 and i9 and cut in the additional branch 55 of the feed line in communication through the sections it and M with the cylinder units 1 and 2. Th s operating means for the transfer valves is here shown as a diaphragm chamber dd having a diaphragm 45 therein, the diaphragm acting on a stem 36 which actuates a yoke il coacting with the stems d8 of the two transfer valves, the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber communicating with the conduit 43.

Thus, when the piston units 3 and 4 have both passed downwardly and cleared the ports 2|, 22, the diaphragm 15 will be pushed upwardly an shift the transfer valves to carry the heads 3, 3 thereof into closed position to cut out the sections Et and M of the branch passages it, Hi, and hence cut out the manually operable valves l8 and i9 and at the same time, open the valve heads 35 so that the air passes from the feed line l2 through the additional branch I 5, through the chamber 33 of the transfer valves l6 and ii, and through the branches I3 and M into the cylinder units l, 2, to continue the actuation of the piston element to the full end of its power stroke. The length of the power stroke, of course, will vary in accordance with the thickness of the work on the buck 5 of the pressing machine, but after the pistons have passed a predetermined distance, or such a distance as to carry the head C of the machine to a safety first position, the manually operable valves l8 and 59 are out out, and the piston element moved to the end of its stroke and held at the end of its stroke independently of the valves i8 and [9.

In order to permit the piston units 3, 4 to return to their starting position, or in order to permit the press to open, means is provided for releasing motive fiuid or the air from the cylinder units, this means being preferably manually operable, although it may be automatically operable through timing means. As here shown, the piston units are released of the air pressure by a normally closed spring pressed release valve 50 operable by a manual 5! and communicating through a conduit 52 with the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber d4. When the release valve se is operated by its handle 5!, the air will exhaust from the diaphragm chamber permitting the springs of the transfer valves to reactand move the valve heads 34, 35 thereof to their initial position, as shown in Figure 2, and. this permits the air to exhaust from the cylinder units l, 2, back through the sections I3 and M through the chambers 32 of the transfer valve sections 83 M valve casing of the manually operable valves 38 and i9, and out through the ports 30 and 3!. The diaphragm chamber it and diaphragm is merely one form of valve gear and the valves iii, I'l one form of transfer valve.

As before stated, the retrograde movement of the piston units is due to the reaction of the countersprings L of the pressing machine.

The ports 2!, 22 and by-pass 2!! are larger, or about twice as large, more or less, than the passage of the conduit d3 or the port opening into the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber M. The vents M are also in proportion to the ports 2 i, 22, the fluid passing through the ports at such pressure that its pressure plus the friction of the piston unit 3 or t on the wallsof the cylinder l or 2 minus the pressure lost through the vents H is sufficient to retard or stop the outslide of the piston element 3, 4.

By this double control, both manuals or push buttons 25, 2'3, must be operated during each operation to fully close the press, as neither button can be fastened down and the press operated with the other one, for if one button 25, or 21, is fastened down, the press can not be opened beyond the safety first position, nor can it be closed beyond the safety first position, and owing to the control mechanism, the control is taken away entirely from the valves operated by the push buttons 25 and 2?, when the press closes and it is not necessary to lock the valves l8 and it in their operated position. By reason of the fact that the valves H3 and I19 are cut out, or dispensed with, in the control of the mechanism when the pres-s is closed, no locking of these valves is necessary, and the attendant disadvantage of locking valves is eliminated, one of these being the possibility of an operator, in order to speed up his work especially when on piece work, of locking one of the controls in operated position, and working with the machine in the other.

Also, by reason of this mechanism, no mechanical stops or locks are required to stop a piston when the press reaches a safety first position, as the movement of the piston element is retarded, without shock, by back pressure opposing the actuating pressure.

The by-pass or conduit 20, the passages 39, 40 in piston units 3, 4, the shoulders 8, 9, In, H, on the rods 5, 6, which provide for the lost motion or lagging of one piston head, when power is applied only to the other head, constitute broadly and specifically means controlled by one or either of the manually operable valves l8 or 19 for retarding the piston element when it has traveled a predetermined distance, when the other valve I8 or l9 only has been operated to open position, which means is releasable to permit the piston to continue and complete its power stroke by the opening of the closed manually operable valve. The transfer valves I6, I! are broadly valve means in shunt with the manually operable valves l8, l9 controlled by the continued movement of the piston element to cut out, or take the control away from, the manually operable valves l8, l9 after the press is closed a predetermined distance or the piston element traveled a predetermined distance and cut in the cylinder element in the feed line around the manually operable valves, the transfer valves remaining inert until both manually operable valves are opened.

The diaphragm 45, chamber 44 and parts including the yoke 41 are broadly releasable means operated or controlled in its operation after the piston element has traveled a predetermined distance and is continuing or completing its power stroke, after both manual valves are open, for locking the transfer valves in operated position, and this locking means is operated by the motive fluid through the by-pass 20 only after both manually operable valves I8, l9 are opened.

What I claim is:

1. In actuating mechanisms for laundry presses and the like, the combination of a cylinder and piston motor having a plurality of cylinder and piston units, the piston units being tied together to move together, an individual normally closed manually operable valve in each of said branches for admitting motive fluid to move one of said piston units, a connection between an intermediate port and one cylinder and an intermediate port in the other, each piston unit including a piston rod and a piston having lost motion with regard to said rod, whereby when one of said air supply valves is opened without the other, one of said pistons is moved below said intermediate port and the other piston is left above said port, whereby air is transmitted from above one piston to below the other and movement of the press is stopped, but whereby when air is admitted to the other cylinder, the said piston is correspondingly moved to close said port to cause the movement of the press to continue.

2., In an actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, the combination of a cylinder and piston motor including a plurality of cylinder and piston units, the piston units being tied together to move together, a feed line for a motive fluid having branches communicating with the cylinder units respectively, individual, normallyclosed,manually operable valves in said branches, the feed line having an additional branch, a transfer and cutout valve connected in the additional branch and in each of the former branches in shunt around the manually operable valves, the cut-out and transfer valves being normally in position to open the first branches and close the additional branch to the passage of fluid through the cutout and transfer valve, a by-pass connecting the cylinder units between the ends thereof and having ports.- opening into the cylinders arranged to be passed by the pistons, valve means operated by each piston unit for passing the fluid through the by-pass from the cylinder unit under pressure on one side of the piston unit therein when one only of the manually operable valves is opened into the other cylinder unit on the opposite side of the piston unit therein, and to close said conduit to the passage of fluid after the other manual valve is opened, whereby the piston units continue unretarded in its movement, and releasable means operated by the motive fluid passing through the by-pass after both piston units have passed both ports for operating said cut-out and transfer valves.

3. In an actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, the combination of a motor including cylinder and piston elements, the cylinder elements including a pair of cylinder units, and piston units therein, the piston units having rods connected together to move in unison, a feed line for a motive fluid having branches connected respectively to the cylinder units, a manually operable, normally closed valve in each branch, and an additional branch in the feed line in shunt around the manually operable valves, transfer and cut-out valves connecting the additional branch and each of the other branches, each cut-out and transfer valve being normally arranged to open the first two mentioned branches and close the additional branch, and operable into position to cut out the manually operable valves and to establish communication through the cut-out and transfer valves between the additional branch and the cylinder units, a by-pass connecting the cylinders and arranged to be uncovered by the piston units when they have traveled a predetermined distance, each piston unit being connected to its rod by a lost motion connection whereby one unit, by reason of the lost motion connection, lags behind the other unit when power is applied only to one piston unit, each piston unit 0 having valve means embodied therein for causing the motive fluid to pass from the companion cylinder through the by-pass to the opposite side of the piston unit in the other cylinder when lagging behind the former piston unit, and fluid operated means connected in the by-pass for operating the transfer valves.

4. In an actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, the combination of a motor including cylinder and piston elements, the cylinder elements including a pair of cylinder units, and piston units therein, the piston units having rods connected together to move in unison, a feed line for a motive fluid having branches connected respectively to the cylinder units, a manually operable, normally closed valve in each branch and an additional branch in the feed line in shunt around the manually operable valves, transfer and cut-out valves connecting the additional branch and each of the other branches, each cut-out and transfer valve being normally arranged to open the first two mentioned branches and close the additional branch, and operable into position to cut out the manually operable valves and to establish communication through the cut-out and transfer valves between the additional branch and cylinder units, a by-pass connecting the cylinders and arranged to be uncovered by the piston units when they have traveled a predetermined distance, each piston unit being connected to its rod by a lost motion connection, whereby one unit, by reason of the lost motion connection, lags behind the other unit when power is applied only to one piston unit, each piston unit having valve means embodied therein for causing the motive fluid to pass from the companion cylinder through the by-pass to the opposite side of the piston unit in the other cylinder when'lagging behind the former piston unit, fluid operated means connected in the by-pass for operating the transfer valves, and manually operable means for releasing the pressure in the last named means.

5. A mechanism comprising a pair of motor units, each including a cylinder, a piston, and a piston rod, and a line having a manually operable valve for admitting motive fluid to said cylinder, said piston rods being connected together, a conduit affording communication between corresponding points on the said cylinders beyond the initial position of the pistons, each of said pistons being connected to its rod by a lost motion connection and being adapted to control by its movement the opening from its cylinder to said conduit, whereby the actuation of one of said valves alone will cause said conduit to be opened to admit air from one of said cylinders to the other after the actuating piston passes the said point on the cylinder under pressure to halt the movement of said pistons and when both the said valves are operated the said halting does not take place.

6. A mechanism comprising a pair of motor units, each including a cylinder, a piston, and a piston rod, and a line having a manually operable valve for admitting motive fluid to said cylinder, said piston rods being connected together, a conduit connecting one of said cylinders to the other at a point remote from the initial position of the pistons, a holding device connected to said conduit to hold the mechanism in operated position when the pistons pass said points, said pistons being each connected to its piston rod by a lost motion connection whereby pressure in one cylinder only will cause a relative movement between said pistons to open said conduit to admit air from the pressure side of one cylinder to the non-pressure side of the other to stop said pistons against movement, and whereby the operation of the other valve will take up said lost motion and release said stopping eflect.

JOSEPH P. DALY. 

